I’m a firm believer is taking everything in moderation. Mother Nature thinks differently. She has dumped the “mother load” on us. She’s made our first snow of the season one to remember. We are still in a blizzard watch until midnight tonight. The winds have picked up and everything that I’ve shoveled today is blowing around. The last report that I heard was 12 inches accumulation. I’m most grateful for a local resident who comes along with his plow and clears a path for my quaint little culdesac that I live in. Power has been on and off. The cable and internet have been messing with my emotions today as well.

Adam still had to work today. Since I was going out into the wild I decided to run a couple of errands after dropping him off. Crazy, right? My work was cancelled due to the weather, so I wanted to take full advantage of the day. I was able to mail my Christmas packages out to my sister in Spokane, WA. There was only two other people in line with me at the Post Office. We exchanged a little conversation before getting back into our warm vehicles. Next stop, City Hall to pay a parking ticket. Everyone was nose deep in their paperwork when I walked in. Perhaps I startled them went I opened the door. I made it safely to Walgreens to pick up some prints. The sound of their automatic door was louder than normal due to the silence. It was almost a bit chilling. The employees kept themselves busy stocking shelves. My Dad phoned me while I was out to tell me that his power went off. I panicked so I stopped at HyVee to pick up a salad and a few other things that were already prepared. Fingers crossed that everything is back on as I type this post.

Throughout my day I also took some photos. Surprised?

Last night as the storm was raging through the town.

I woke up to a Winter Wonderland.

The bridge was safe to cross but the fog over the water was very thick.

Trees were down in a lot of neighborhoods.

Did I mention that I live at the top of a huge hill? Our City crew does a good job at keeping it clean and salted.

The trees in our back yard looked amazing. The snow was wet and heavy.

House had little fear of playing outside today. This photo was taken right before he did a nose dive into the snow for a sample. They were all given the speech about not eating the yellow snow.

On our way out the bar (where Adam works) I noticed this banner. I usually don’t pay much attention to this kind of stuff. So, I’ve got a video for you to watch to conclude this post. Click here.

TA-DA! My first pinterest inspired project is done. LOVE IT! I recycled an old wooden frame which gave it a whole new look. Many more to come in different colors. Not sure what to do with them all. A few may go to my mom’s shop in Galena, IL. And I’m working on a huge red one for my house. A picture will be posted when it’s complete. I came up with different variations for the photos that go inside. The possibilities are endless.

These open back frames make good photo props as well. One was resting next to my chair and later I found House (dog) sticking his head through it. Couldn’t grab the camera fast enough, but the ideas are running through my head. Have I completely lost it? No, chalk it up to being a crazy dog lover.

“If” your new to Pinterest, click here to go to their homepage. Take a moment to read the About section. I can’t be held responsible for what happens after you join and start pinning. If you need an invite leave a comment in the section below.

This week on the blog: My goal this year for Christmas (Yes, I said the “C” word) is for all the gifts that I give to my nieces & nephews be handmade and educational. I’m an Aunt to six, so this will be fun! I’m preparing my craft table for the first project. More details coming soon.

“Look at me and you will see my dogs heart. Look at my dog and you will see my soul.

~Wayne Shaffer

I found this quote online awhile back and made a note of it. Then I got looking at my last post that I did with the pictures of my dogs. If you missed it, click here. Have you ever gone back to a photo and changed the editing a bit? I find it interesting how it can give the image a whole new meaning. Don’t get me wrong, I love each and every one of my dogs, but Hardy has one unique quality that stands out. When he looks at you he truly is looking deep into your soul.~

P.S. I’ve got some more recycling projects to share with you this weekend. And yes, it has to do with a Christmas project that I’m starting now. An update on my 30 Day Challenge post. And let’s talk Etsy. How do you get your business name out there? More details later. The dogs have already left the office to go “night-night”.